Apparatus and method for coupling a plurality of test access ports to external test and debug facility

ABSTRACT

An interface unit is provided for selectively testing a plurality of processor/cores. The interface unit includes an interface test access port (TAP) unit operable to receive test commands, and a logic unit coupled to the interface TAP unit and operable to generate control signals based on the received test commands to selectively generate a configuration of TAP units comprised in the plurality of processor/cores to receive test signals.

This application is related to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/675,274, (TI-36934PS) filed Apr. 27, 2005, titled “Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Debug and Test in a Multi-Processor System in the Presence of Lower Power and Security Constraints,” for which priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(1) is hereby claimed and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/411,683 entitled Apparatus And Method For Controlling Power, Clock, And Reset During Test And Debug Procedures For A Plurality Of Processor/Cores, invented by Robert A. McGowan and filed on even date herewith; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/411,381 entitled Apparatus And Method For Test And Debug Of A Processor/Core Having Advanced Power Management, invented by Robert A. McGowan and filed on even date herewith are related applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the test and bug of multiple processors on a chip and, more particularly to the coupling of the test access ports (TAPs) associated with each processor to an external test and debug unit.

2. Background of the Invention

Today's digital signal processors, microprocessor, and complex logic cores facilitate test via a limited pin interface called the JTAG interface. This interface conforms to the IEEE 1149.1 Test Access Port (TAP) protocol and requirements. Modern processor units often use the JTAG interface to provide access to in-circuit emulation (ICE) logic in order to facilitate debug of an embedded processor or logic system-on-a-chip designs. The processor unit often has multiple processors/cores, each processor/core having its own TAP.

The IEEE1149.1 specification has two ways in which multiple TAPs can be connected together. In the parallel configuration, a single TDI (test data in) input signal is connected to the TDI input of each TAP in the system. Similarly, the TDO (test data out) output signals from all of the processors/cores are wired together. A separate TMS control signal for each TAP is used to drive each TAP state independently. The controller assures that only one TAP at a time is put into a state in which it responds to the TDI input signals and transmits the TDO output signals.

The problem with a parallel configuration is that each TAP requires its own TMS control signal. On a system-on-a-chip with multiple processor/cores, this configuration would require several pins on the device. In addition, each of these pins would need to be coupled to a JTAG controller. This coupling would require additional signals on the processor unit board and the connector to the JTAG controller. This solution to the problem of multiple TAPS is not conveniently scalable. Since only one TAP can drive its TDO output at the same time, the parallel solution also does not facilitate co-emulation in which multiple TAPs need to be driven through the TAP state machine at the same time.

With the parallel configuration, one or more TAPs can be turned off or un-powered while preserving the ability to performs scans to active TAPs. However, once a TAP becomes inactive, there is no way for a controller to wakeup the module and re-enable scans.

The series configuration is the more common configuration for connecting multiple TAPs. This configuration requires that all TAPs be clocked with the same clock and the serial output of one TAP is used as the serial input to the next TAP in the system. This configuration supports both debug and test procedures.

There are several problems with the series test configuration. First, if the power is removed from one TAP in the series, then the controller will be unable to shift data into and out of any TAP linked in series with the un-powered TAP. Once a TAP has been un-powered, the scan controller is not able to wakeup the sleeping module. The second problem is that all TAPs must be clocked at the same frequency. Consequently, the maximum clock frequency is limited by the slowest component in the system. Synthesizable ARM processors from ARM Ltd exacerbate this problem since the JTAG TCK (test clock) clock signal must be synchronized with the ARM processor functional clock. This synchronized TCK signal, called the RTCK signal, must be used as the TCK signal for all other components linked in series with the ARM processor. Therefore, if the ARM clock is running at a slow frequency or is turned off, scanning through any of the TAPs in series with this core is not possible.

Another problem with the series configuration of TAPs is that to access one particular TAP, the controller must scan through all of the TAPs in the series. This feature makes scaling difficult. Systems or even systems-on-a-chip may have hundreds of processors. This complexity leads to a scan path that is thousands of bits long. A long scan path significantly slows debug of a selected processor core.

The series configuration also presents problems for production testing. Typically, the test vectors used in a production test are written for a single TAP. The test harness does not have an automated method to understand that other TAPs may precede or follow the TAP under test in the JTAG series. For each system, these test vectors must be rewritten to accommodate several TAPs in series.

In order to protect confidential information being processed on an embedded device, some devices are equipped with security features to block viewing of some data. Security features on a system may also be used to protect intellectual property, such as algorithms, drivers, or other software. Because debug procedures use the TAP on a processor to access ICE logic, security logic often disables the TAP on the protected core. In past designs, the TAP was disabled by gating the TCLK signal, which is the TAP clock signal.

Gating the TCLK signals presents several problems. First, gating the TCLK signal at the device level blocks debug and test procedures access to all TAPs and hence all processor/cores to in the system. This unsophisticated technique does not allow for visibility in the protected system while blocking visibility into other systems. Even if the TCLK signal was gated closer to the processor/core's TAP, this implementation would not help because the TAPs are connected in series. For the shifting through the series TAPs to be implemented, the TCLK signal must be enabled to all TAPs in the chain. The second problem is that blocking visibility into the system is in direct conflict with the needs of debug procedures that seek to give full visibility into the system. A method is needed to selectively and dynamically enable or disable access to all TAPs in a system.

Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration for testing a plurality of processor/cores 11-1N fabricated on a circuit board 1 according to the prior art is shown. Processor/cores 11-1N each include a Test Access Port (TAP) unit 111-11N, respectively. A host processing unit 3, the apparatus that controls the testing of the processor/cores 11-1N, exchanges signals with an emulation unit 2. The emulation unit 2 formats the signals received from the host processing unit and applies the resulting signals to TAP units 11-1N. Each TAP unit 11-1N receives the TMS signal, the TCLK signal and the TRST signal. With respect to the TDI and TDO signals, the TAP units are coupled in series, the TDI signal being applied to the first TAP unit 11 in the series and the TDO signal being received from the last TAP unit 1N in the series.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a TAP unit 20 according to the prior art is shown. The TAP unit 20 includes a state machine 21. The state machine, in response to the TMS signal, the TRST signal, and the TCLK signal generates control signals that control the sequencing and activity of the TAP unit 21. The TDI signal is applied to the switch unit 23. Switch 23 directs the TDI signals to the IR register 25 or to one of the DR registers 26-2N. The output signals of the registers are applied to the multiplexer 24, the output of the multiplexer 24 being the TDO signal. When the TDI is applied to the IR register 25, the contents of the IR register are applied to a logic unit 22. The logic unit 22 provides control signals that specify a test and debug activity.

The operation of the TAP unit 20 can be summarized as follows. A value is entered in the IR register 25. In response to the value, an activity is implemented by control signals generated by the logic unit 22. This result of a value in the IR register can be a transfer of a value from the DR register to a register in the processor/core result or can result in the transfer of a value in a processor/core register to a DR register. One predetermined value in the IR register 25 results in a logic “1” being set in the bit-by-pass register 29. Thus, in the example of a plurality of TAP units, a string of logic signals entered in all the IR registers and synchronized by the state machine, can short circuit one or more designated TAP units by setting the logic “1” in the by-pass bit register. When the contents of a string of DR registers in the TAP unit sequence is read out, the designated by-pass bit registers provide only a logic “1” output, in essence, providing a short circuit for the test and debug activity for the processor/core associated a designated tap register. Only a logic “1” in the Capture-R bypass register passes the value from TDI to TDO on TCLK later in the shift-DR state.

A need has therefore been felt for apparatus and an associated method having the feature of improving test and debug procedures. It is a more particular object of the apparatus and associated method to permit selective testing of a number of a plurality of processor. It is yet a further object of the apparatus and associated method to activate the selected processor/cores using JTAG test and debug procedures. It is a still further feature of the apparatus and associated method to provide a technique for determining the status of selected processor/core parameters for certain processor/cores. It is more particular feature of the apparatus and associated method to provide an interface unit between the test and debug apparatus and a plurality of processor/cores that can facilitate the test and debug procedures. It is a still further particular feature of the apparatus and associated method to provide an interface unit that includes a TAP unit. It is yet another particular feature of the apparatus and associated method to provide a status registers providing the status of the plurality of processor/cores under test.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned and other features are provided, according to the present invention, by an interface unit between a plurality of TAP units of processor/cores on a substrate and a test and debug unit. The interface unit includes a TAP unit. The interface unit and the processor/cores have a switch unit coupled to each TAP unit. The switch units are coupled in series and, in response to control signals, can either apply TDI and TCLK signals through the coupled processor/core or interface unit to the switch output terminal or can apply the signals directly to the output terminal. A logic unit in the interface unit, responsive to a signal entered in the TAP unit, provides the control signals for the switch units. The interface unit also includes status registers identifying the status of parameters in each related processor/core. These parameters can be transmitted to the test and debug apparatus through the TAP unit and can identify whether the processor/core described by the parameters is in a state for testing. If the processor/core is not in a state for testing, the interface unit, in response to commands from the test and debug unit, can force the appropriate parameters for testing the processor core.

These and other features and advantages of present invention will be more clearly understood upon reading of the following description and the accompanying drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram of the apparatus for providing a JTAG interface between an emulation unit and a plurality of processor/core devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a TAP unit according to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the apparatus for providing an interface between an emulation unit and a plurality of processor core devices.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the switch unit associated with each processor/core and associated with the interface unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is flow chart illustrating the technique by which a processor/core, after being reincorporated in a test sequence, is resynchronized with the other processor/cores.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the interface unit 30 mitigating the transfer of data between the plurality of processor/cores 11-1N and the test and debug apparatus is shown. The portion of the current invention that differs from FIG. 1 is designated by numbers beginning with the number three. Coupled to the TAP units 111-11N of each processor/core are switch units 331-33N, respectively. The interface unit 30 includes a TAP unit 301. The TAP unit 301 of the interface unit 30 is coupled to switch unit 39. The switch units 39 and 331-33N are coupled in series. The TDI signal from the test and debug unit, i.e., the emulation unit 2 and the host processing unit 3 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, is applied to an input terminal of switch unit 39. The output terminal of switch unit 39 is applied to the input terminal of switch unit 331. The input terminal of each switch unit, except for switch unit 39, is coupled to the output terminal of the previous switch unit. The output terminal of switch unit 33N has the TDO signal applied thereto and the TDO signal is returned to the test and debug apparatus. Similarly, the TCLK signal from the test and debug apparatus is applied to a second input terminal of switch unit 39. The TCLK signal is applied to a second input terminal of switch unit 331 and, consequently, through the series-connected switch units 331-33N. From a second output terminal of switch unit 33N, the RTCLK signal is applied to the test and debug unit. The interface unit 30 includes TAP unit 301. Signals from the TAP unit 301 are applied to logic unit 303. The logic unit 303 provides the control signals for all of the switch units 331-33N and 39. In addition, in response to preselected values in the IR register of the TAP unit 30, the values of designated status and control registers 304 will be transferred to a DR register. The status and control registers 304 store information with respect to the power and status for each processor core. The values in the status registers originate in the processor/cores themselves, or originate from the control signals that set the power, clock, and security parameters in the processor/cores.

The values in the status registers permit the test and debug apparatus to determine when a processor/core is available for testing. The determination of the availability of each processor/core can be done with the same JTAG procedures as are used in the actual test and debug procedure.

Each processor/core 11-1N has a power state machine 121-12N, respectively, coupled thereto. The power state machines 121-12N control the power level of the coupled processor/core. The power state machines are coupled to the logic unit 303 in the interface unit.

Through the logic unit 303, the status of the power state machine is coupled to and entered in the status and control registers 304. The status and control registers 304 store the status of the power applied to the coupled processor/core. The status of the power applied to each processor core can be communicated to the test and debug unit through the interface TAP unit. In this manner, the test and debug unit can determine whether the power applied to the coupled processor/core is appropriate for test and debug procedures.

The logic unit 303 is coupled to the power state machines 121-12N and to the status and control register. The state of the power state machine is transmitted to the logic unit 303 and consequently is stored in the status and control registers 304 in response to commands from the test and debug unit can specify the state of each power state machine.

Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the switch unit 40 associated with each processor/core and the interface unit, according to the present invention is shown. The TDI signal is applied to a first input terminal of switch 41. In response to control signals applied to terminal 4 of switch unit 41, the output signal of switch 41 is applied to the associated TAP unit or to an input terminal 2 of switch 42. Input terminal 2 of switch 41 is coupled to the associated TAP unit. The control signals applied to input terminal 4 of switch 42 determines whether the signal applied to input terminal 1 or the signal applied to the input terminal 2 of switch is applied to output terminal 3 and is the TDO signal. The TCLK is applied to the input terminal 1 of switch 43. In response to control signals applied to terminal 4 of switch 43, the output signal of switch 43 is applied through terminal 2 to the associated TAP unit or through terminal 4 to the input terminal 1 of switch 44. In response to control signals applied to terminal 4 of switch 44, the RTCLK signal applied to terminal 3 is selected for the output signal. The presence of the switches permit test and debug procedures to test one or a selected number of the processor/cores in a single operation. The disadvantage of the testing of more than one processor/core is that a plurality of signals groups must generated to test the designated processor/cores and a plurality of signal groups must be analyzed by the processor. The TMS signal is applied to an input terminal 1 of switch 45. In response to control signals applied to terminal 4. In response to control signals applied to terminal 4 of switch 45, the TMS signal is applied to TAP unit 400. Similarly, switch 46 controls the application of the TRST signal to the TAP unit 400.

Referring to FIG. 5, the technique by which a processor/core, not included in the test chain of processor/cores, is resynchronized, i.e., becomes a member of the test chain is shown. In step 51, after the switch has modified to no longer be a short circuit and, where appropriate, the power is restored to the previously inactive processor/core. In step 52, the TRST signal is applied to the state machine in the TAP unit of a processor/core that was previously inactive or was in an inappropriate state. This activity places the TAP unit state machine in the Test Logic Reset state. The TMS signal is applied to the processor/core TAP unit state machine, thereby placing the state machine in the Run Test Idle state in step 53. At this point the previously inactive processor/core is now synchronized with the other processor/cores.

As indicated before with respect to the RTCLK signal, this signal is not a member of the JTAG signal set. However, some processor cores, such as ARM units, the TCLK signal is processed by the processor/core and the processed signal is referred to as the RTCLK signal. As will be clear, the present invention can work equally well with and without the generation of the RTCLK signal.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

The operation of the present invention can best be understood in the following manner. On a chip having a plurality of processor/cores, each processor core is provided with a TAP unit to provide the interface to JTAG signals. The processor/core TAP units are coupled in series. An interface unit is provided that includes a TAP unit. The interface unit TAP unit is coupled in series with the series-coupled TAP units of the processor cores. A first set of switches is provided for each TAP unit. In response to control signals, the TDI terminal and the TDO terminal for a selected TAP unit can be short circuited. Similarly, in response to second control signals, the TCLK terminal and the RTCLK terminal are coupled together, i.e. short circuited. The control signals are generated in response to TDI signals applied to the interface unit TAP unit by the test and debug unit. In response to the TDI signal, the logic unit of the interface unit can implement the encoded commands. In this manner, the switches can set such that only one TAP unit receives the TDI and TCLK signals. The ability to control the state of each switch unit permits the selection and therefore the testing of a selected individual processor/core. A plurality of processor/cores can be selected. In this manner, a plurality of processor/cores can be tested simultaneously. The ability of the testing of a plurality of processor/cores requires that test and debug unit generate a string of data signals capable in the single access by the test and debug apparatus of placing appropriate bits in the plurality of TAP unit IR registers of the selected processor/cores. Similarly, when the test and debug apparatus receive the results of testing the plurality of processor/cores, the test and debug apparatus will have to sort out the responses from each selected processor/core from a string of data bits from a plurality of DR registers.

The interface unit includes a plurality of status registers. Typical parameters stored in the status registers relate to power, clock and security conditions. Each of these conditions determines the ability to test the processor/core described by the parameters. When the processor/core is not available for test, e.g., the power is off, this information is transmitted through the interface unit TAP unit to the test and debug unit. The test and debug unit then transmits signal groups through the interface unit TAP unit to the logic unit appropriate signals that result in control signals being transmitted to the switch unit associated with the (powered-off) processor/core. The control signals then place the switch in a short circuit mode and the TDI and TCLK signals are not applied to the (powered-off) processor/core. These procedures prevent the test and debug procedure from being halted because of a condition in one of the processor/cores.

With respect to the RTCLK signal, this clock signal is a result of a peculiarity of the ARM unit wherein, in order to use the JTAG test and debug procedures, the TCLK signal must be synchronized with the internal clock of the ARM unit. The resulting (synchronized) signal is referred to as the RTCLK signal and, according to one embodiment of the invention, when a single ARM unit is in the scan chain, the RTCLK signal from the single ARM unit can, depending on the state of the switches, either be applied to each scan chain TAP unit or pass through each scan chain TAP unit. The state of each switch of the scan chain is controlled by the logic unit in the interface unit and, ultimately, by the test and debug unit. When more than one ARM unit is present, then each of the ARM units will provide a different RTCLK signal. The net result of the presence of a plurality of ARM units in the scan chain is to slow the clock rate with the passage of the TCLK or RTCLK signal through the scan chain. When the resulting RTCLK signal is applied to the test and debug unit, the test and debug unit can throttle back the clock rate of the TCLK signal so that the signals in the scan chain can be shifted in unison.

While the invention has been described with respect to the embodiments set forth above, the invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. Accordingly, other embodiments, variations, and improvements not described herein are not necessarily excluded from the scope of the invention, the scope of the invention being defined by the following claims. 

1. An interface unit for selectively testing a plurality of processor/cores, the interface unit comprising: an interface test access port (TAP) unit operable to receive test commands; and a logic unit coupled to the interface TAP for allowing the selection of multiple TAPs into one scan path and operable to generate control signals based on the received test commands to selectively generate a configuration of TAP units comprised in the plurality of processor/cores to receive test signals.
 2. The interface unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the control signals generate a configuration of at least two TAP units for receiving a test data in (TDI) signal and returning a test data out (TDO) signal.
 3. The interface unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the control signals generate a configuration of at least one TAP unit for receiving a TDI signal and returning a TDO signal.
 4. The interface unit as recited in claim 3 wherein the control signals generate a configuration of at least two TAP units wherein a test clock (TCLK) signal is applied to a processor/core comprising one of the at least two TAP units and the TCLK signal is not applied to a processor/core comprising another one of the at least two TAP units.
 5. The interface unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of status and control registers coupled to the interface TAP unit, wherein the status registers are operable to store status information with respect to the processor/cores.
 6. The interface unit as recited in claim 5 wherein the status information includes at least one selected from a group consisting of clock information, power information, and security information.
 7. The interface unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the interface unit is responsive to signals from a security state machine.
 8. The interface unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the control signals are applied to switch units coupled to the TAP units comprised in the plurality of processor/cores to selectively generate the configuration, the switch units configurable to control which test signals are received by the respective TAP units.
 9. A method for selectively testing a plurality of processor/cores, each processor/core comprising a TAP unit, the method comprising: receiving a test command designating selected processor/cores of the plurality of processor/cores in an interface TAP unit comprised in an interface unit, the interface unit coupled to the TAP units of the processor/cores for allowing the selection of multiple TAPs into one scan path; generating control signals by the interface unit responsive to the test command; and applying the control signals to generate a configuration of the TAP units of the selected processor/cores to receive test signals.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein applying the control signals generates a configuration of at least two TAP units for receiving a TDI signal and returning a TDO signal.
 11. The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising: storing status information in the interface unit.
 12. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein applying the control signals further comprises applying the control signals to a plurality of switch units to generate the configuration, each TAP unit having a switch unit coupled thereto, the switch unit configurable to control which test signals are received by the TAP unit.
 13. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein applying the control signals generates a configuration of the TAP units of the selected processor/cores wherein a TCLK signal is received at some of the TAP units and the TCLK signal is not received at least one of the TAP units.
 14. A system for selectively testing a plurality of processor/cores, the system comprising: a plurality of processor/cores, each processor/core comprising a TAP unit; and an interface unit coupled to the TAP units for allowing the selection of multiple TAPs into one scan path, the interface unit comprising an interface TAP unit operable to receive test commands and a logic unit operable to generate control signals based on the received test commands to selectively generate a configuration of the TAP units to receive test signals.
 15. The system as recited in claim 14 wherein the interface unit further comprises a plurality of status registers, values in the status registers reflecting status of the processor/cores.
 16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the values in the status registers designate at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of clock parameters, power parameters, and security parameters.
 17. The system as recited in claim 14 wherein the control signals generate a configuration of selected TAP units for receiving a TDI signal and returning a TDO signal.
 18. The system as recited in claim 14 wherein the control signals generate a configuration of selected TAP units wherein TCLK signals are received by some of the selected TAP units and TCLK signals are not received by at least one of the selected TAP units.
 19. The system as recited in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of switch units coupled to the logic unit, each TAP unit having a switch unit coupled thereto, wherein the control signals are applied to the switch units to selectively generate the configuration of TAP units, the switch units configurable to control which test signals are received by the respective TAP units.
 20. The system as recited in claim 15 further comprising a security state machine coupled to the logic unit, the security state machine storing the security status of the processor/cores, the security status of each processor/core in the state machine being stored in the status registers. 